Glossary of Internet Marketing Terms: SEO
Search Engine Optimization or SEO – Getting a website listed at the top of the search engines, such as Google, Yahoo, MSN and AOL.
This term is used in reference to organic or natural SEO which involves working with a website’s programming, such as applying meta tags (hidden programming tags), optimized text and strategic linking with other websites.
There are over 200 different elements that Google uses to index or rank sites. Among them are elements necessary for detecting techniques that the search engines frown upon and consider unethical for which they will ban websites, including:
- Hidden text or hidden links
- Cloaking or sneaky redirects
- Automated queries to Google
- Pages with irrelevant keywords
- Multiple pages, subdomains, or domains with substantially duplicate content
- Pages with malicious behavior, such as phishing or installing viruses, trojans, or other badware
- “Doorway” pages created just for search engines, or other “cookie cutter” approaches such as affiliate programs with little or no original content
- If your site participates in an affiliate program, make sure that your site adds value. Provide unique and relevant content that gives users a reason to visit your site first.
Prices vary for search engine optimization services depending on how much work is involved and the competitiveness of the targeted keyword terms. The more competitive the keywords, the larger budget required and more time to see results. Pricing usually starts at $3,000 for an SEO package and goes up from there. Additionally, there is usually a monthly maintenance fee involved to maintain the rankings. There are companies that charge lower fees, however their services are generally not effective.
